Thursday, July 26, 2012

Sometimes I feel like choosing a meter is like choosing a mate. You really don't want to commit until you are sure it's what you want. Well, I have had my ReliOn micro for over a year and I like it. Meter is cheap and strips are cheap. It doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles like the "expensive name brand" meters, but it is accurate and small. (Small is the best part!)

Kim Vlasik, of Texting My Pancreas fame, posted this link to the Walmart Pressroom. Walmart has a deal with ReliOn to sell the ReliOn Prime meter for $16 and the 50 count strips for $9. Seriously, nine dollars! Next thing I know I'm off to Walmart and I have to check this out.

The meter was $16.24, compared to my micro at $8.94. (That's a one time cost, I can live with that) But the strips! I pay $36 for 100 strips for the micro, because that's a better deal than the $19.84 for 50. But it really was only $9 for the 50 count. Saving money any way I can, I bought it! I figure it will have paid for itself when I buy the next batch of strips.

Here's the proof!

Saving of the money, by spending the money. That's just weird but true!

Monday, July 16, 2012

The following is a guest post from Drugwatch.com. My apologies to Jeff, who contacted me over a month and a half ago about posting this. After the long wait here it is!(This post should not be construed as an endorsement or disapproval on any medication or treatment by ME. Every person responds differently to every medication. Case in point, my Type 2 husband can take metformin without any side effects while I am miserable with cramping, nausea and diarrhea. Personally, I do not advocate filing lawsuits because your body responded badly to a medication. Do your homework people and KNOW what you are putting in your body. You always have a choice. (/rant))

There are a large number of medications that can treat type
2 diabetes. Some work better than others, and some have dangerous side effects
everybody should know about.

The classes of drugs work in three ways. Some make cells
more sensitive to insulin. Other drugs boost insulin production by the
pancreas. Then there are drugs that slow down sugar digestion in the stomach.

Drugs that Work on Cells

The drugs that make cells more responsive to insulin are the
most popular. They're called biguanides and thiazolidinediones. The only
biguanide is metformin. It's one of the first drugs doctors prescribe because it
brings down blood sugar so effectively.

The most popular thiazolidinedione is a drug called Actos.
Actos is a best seller, but unfortunately it has dangerous side effects. Actos recently
was found to increase the risk of bladder cancer by 80 percent or more. In
fact, thousands of patients have filed Actos lawsuits against
the maker of Actos.

Actos also has other dangerous side effects. In 2007, it got
slapped with a black-box warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
because it increases the risk of heart failure. It also has been linked to eye
disease and bone fractures.

Drugs that Work on
the Pancreas

Drug classes that make the pancreas produce more insulin are
sulfonylureas and nonsulfonylurea secretagogues. Be careful because
sulfonylureas can bring blood sugar down too much and bring on hypoglycemia.

Nonsulfonylurea secretagogues are short-acting drugs. They
are taken before meals to stop your blood sugar from rising when you eat.

Drugs that Work on
Digestion

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, amylin analogues, incretin
mimetics and DDP-4 inhibitors have few dangerous side effects. You take them
before meals, and they stop your post-meal blood sugar from going up. Since
these drugs work on your stomach to slow the breakdown of sugar, they can cause
nausea and flatulence. Because of these side effects, they haven't been too
popular in the United States.

Your doctor may have a favorite medication he or she likes
to prescribe, but you can always ask them about alternatives to avoid risks
like Actos side
effects. Together, you can decide the best way to treat your diabetes.

William Richards is a writer for Drugwatch.com. He uses his journalism
background to investigate dangerous drugs and promote consumer awareness to
better the community.

About Me

My diaversary is Feb 27, 2009. I was 33 years old. Bottom line, the bees suck. But every day I choose to live, because if I stick my head in the sand, it will, eventually, kill me. I know there are people who want me around a few more years, so everyday I get up and put on my armor and battle the diadragon.
Every diabetic is unique. And I am NOT your medical professional. My body will do different things than yours. Please, please, please! Do not make changes to your treatment regimen without consulting your doctor!

World Diabetes Day

TuDiabetes

Disclaimer! Please Read:

I AM a medical professional (nurse), but every diabetic is unique. My body will do different things than yours. Please, please, please! Do not make changes to your treatment regimen without consulting your doctor!
(And that's not me!)